# Digby Groat — Blue Hand character guide > Digby Groat in Blue Hand by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Groat, Digby, Digby Francis Groat **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A yellow-faced schemer whom servants compare to the devil, Digby Groat circles the Danton fortune with the patience of a boy who enjoyed watching pigs die. ## Who they are Digby Groat moves through London as a man of business — transferring leases, managing his mother's affairs, presenting himself as heir to the Danton millions. But everyone who knew him as a child remembers the same thing: a boy who pulled wings off flies and begged to watch the Friday slaughter. His contempt for the war, his weak heart, and his readiness to sign away what isn't his mark him as the story's central menace, the man Jim Steele is determined to stop before he succeeds. ## Relationships ### [Eunice Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/eunice_weldon) _romantic_ Digby is obsessively infatuated with Eunice, pursuing her relentlessly despite her resistance. ### [Jim Steele](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/jim_steele) _rivalry_ Digby views Jim as a romantic rival and antagonist, leading to intense conflict. ### [Mr. Mansar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/mr_mansar) _professional_ Digby and Mr. Mansar have a business or legal relationship, often tense and transactional. ### [Mr. Villa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/mr_villa) _rivalry_ Digby and Mr. Villa are adversaries, clashing over money or influence. ### [Mr. Salter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/mr_salter) _professional_ Digby and Mr. Salter have a strained professional relationship, with Salter often opposing Digby's schemes. ### [Lady Mary Danton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/lady_mary_danton) _social_ Digby and Lady Mary are social acquaintances, with Digby trying to use her status for his gain. ### [Mrs. Groat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/mrs_groat) _family_ Digby and Mrs. Groat are married, but their relationship is toxic and abusive. ### [Jackson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/jackson) _professional_ Jackson is Digby's servant or henchman, carrying out his orders without question. ### [Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/masters) _professional_ Masters is an employee or associate of Digby, involved in his dubious activities. ### [Eunice Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/eunice_weldon) _romantic_ Digby is obsessively infatuated with Eunice, pursuing her relentlessly despite her resistance. ### [Eunice Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/eunice_weldon) _romantic_ Digby is obsessively infatuated with Eunice, pursuing her relentlessly despite her resistance. ### [Jim Steele](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/jim_steele) _rivalry_ Digby views Jim as a romantic rival and antagonist, leading to intense conflict. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as arriving at the office; Jim dislikes him for avoiding war service, and he stands to benefit from the Danton fortune. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/ii) Visits Salter's office to examine Lakeside leases; displays arrogance and a dismissive attitude toward Jim Steele; reacts with alarm upon seeing Jim's notes on the Thirteen Gang. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/iii) Identified by Jim as the 'unmitigated cad' who stands to inherit the Danton millions if the missing heiress is not found. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/iv) Confronts his mother about her theft, threatens her with a brain operation, and arranges the return of the bracelet. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/v) Caught in his laboratory preparing to vivisect a stray dog; confronts Jim and Eunice, but is forced to release the animal. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/vi) Apologizes for lying about the dog, explains his experiment, and discusses his study of faces and heads. He is attracted to Eunice but deliberately restrains himself. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/vii) Forces his mother to give Eunice work, retrieves the stolen watch, and witnesses his mother's collapse at the sight of Eunice's scar. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as having many Spanish friends, speaking Spanish fluently, and being a former shipping clerk who married into the Danton family. ### [The Secret Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/x) Reacted with fury upon learning of the will, burned it, and lied about the Marquis of Estremeda; questioned Eunice about her scar. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xi) Plots to control Eunice, regrets destroying the will, and feels growing fascination with her. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the one who gave Eunice the chocolates; Eunice considers telling him about the warning but decides not to. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xiii) Appears tired and haggard; questions Eunice about the night's events; reflects on his mother's drug addiction and his control over her; attends Lord Waltham's reception. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xiv) Referenced as the recipient of the chocolates and as someone who might not understand the meaning of the blue handprint. ### [The Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xv) Referenced indirectly through the key labeled 'D. G.'s master key', which is intended to grant access to his premises. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xvi) Confronts his mother about the will, destroys it, and forces her to lie to Eunice. He is determined to possess Eunice as a 'decoration' and threatens Jackson. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as possibly being behind the Selengers, along with his mother. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xviii) Returns home at midnight, prompting Eunice's vigilance. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xix) Mentioned as plotting to make Eunice a passing amusement; Lady Mary aims to bring him and his mother to justice. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xx) Shows Eunice a photograph of the Blue Hand print, proving it is a woman's, and is absent for most of the day. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxi) Enters in evening dress, discusses the mysterious intruder and the blue handprint, and reveals the intruder's identity as Madge Benson. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxii) Receives a letter, is trailed by Jim, and later sends men to follow Jim. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxiii) Questions Eunice about Jim; angrily expels Mrs. Weatherwale; fumes over the police involvement and blames Jim Steele. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxiv) Seen driving past Jim and Eunice in the park, earlier bundled Mrs. Weatherwale out of the house. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxvi) Revealed to have been a cruel child who burned a baby's wrist with a hot sixpence, leaving a circular scar. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxvii) Plans to sell Danton estate quickly; manipulates situation and allows Jim to meet Eunice. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxviii) Senses the end approaching, plans to flee to a ranch in San Paulo, and lies that Eunice has left for Paris. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xix) Lies about Eunice's wishes, arranges false trail to Paris, and plans to force Eunice's compliance. ### [The Retreat to Kennett Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxx) Travels to Kennett Hall to prepare a refuge and issues orders to Villa for purchasing a yacht. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxi) Arranges the property transfer, secures his mother's signature, and receives a telegram from Villa. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxii) Reveals his predatory nature to Eunice, is struck by her, then learns from his mother that Dorothy Danton is alive and that he marked her as a child. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxiii) Drugs Eunice, disguises himself, and transports her to a hidden garage, planning his escape. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxv) Dressed as a chauffeur and without his moustache; admits he has fled Grosvenor Square and pressures Eunice to marry him, but is frightened by her threat. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxvi) Disguises as a woman in black, drugs and manipulates Eunice, plans escape via train interception and flight to Kennett Hall, and counts stolen money. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxvii) Disguised as an elderly woman, he manipulates and threatens Eunice, revealing his obsessive desire to possess her. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxviii) Disguised in women's clothing, he orchestrates the escape from the train and transports Eunice to a remote house, revealing his manipulative and controlling nature. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xxxix) Mentioned as the boss; his voice is heard speaking to someone near the pond, and his men discuss his orders regarding Eunice. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xli) Captures Jim and Eunice, threatens and bribes Masters, confronts Eunice's insults. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlii) Interrogates Jim, learns of Villa's death, and panics upon hearing the police know about the yacht; he decides to flee with Eunice that night. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xliii) Frantically prepares for escape by aeroplane, dispatches Silva, tests equipment, and later shoots Fuentes when he refuses to kill Jim. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xliv) Flees with Eunice by seaplane after killing Villa; shows panic and horror at his own act. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlv) Reveals his ruthless nature: he drowns Bronson, threatens Eunice, and plans to flee to South America via a secret route. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlvi) Confronts the captain after learning of the reward for his arrest; negotiates a bribe and later pays the captain a bundle of bonds to ensure his escape. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlvii) Attempts to force himself on Eunice, is threatened by her pistol, then tricks her and assaults her until the captain stops him with a warning shot. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlviii) Confronts the captain, prepares poison, then decides to wait and attempt to woo Eunice during the voyage. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlix) Aboard the yacht Pealigo, orders the ship's name changed to Malaga, tries to prevent the captain from stopping, is put in irons, escapes and attacks Eunice, but is knocked out by Jim. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters/digby_groat - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/blue_hand_se/characters